Vicenza and Darby Military Communities www.italy.army.mil November 24, 2017 | Vol. 50 | Issue 20 What’s Inside Burning off pre-Thanksgiving calories Town hall addresses 2 challenges to Meet the Mayors deemed a success Italian pay system by James E. Brooks 3 USAG Italy Public Affairs Officer 173rd partners with Serbia VICENZA — Italian host nation workers for training were updated on the status of a 33-year- old pay system that malfunctioned in July, causing a backlog of family benefits and performance award payments. 4 The pay system, operated by 266th Employee Spotlight Financial Management Support Center, which handles the paychecks of more than 1,120 host nation employees, suf- 5 fered a software malfunction in July. Soldiers 'rock' November “I want to apologize on behalf of the U.S. Army. Thank you for your pa- tience, and special thanks to the Italian pay team who has been putting in a lot of 7 overtime to make sure everyone is paid Adopt a School on time and clearing up the backlog of payments,” said USAG Italy Garrison Commander Col. Erik M. Berdy. 8 According to Darryl McCoy, director High school sports of 266th Financial Management Support Center’s Italy Finance Center here, De- cember’s payroll and bonuses are expect- Friendly soccer tourney ed to be paid as scheduled. Of the 589 backlogged performance awards, 350 will be paid with the No- vember payroll and the remainder will be 10 paid with the December payroll. Howev- Out & About er, the backlog of family benefits is being worked by the pay team but will not be in the November payroll. Every attempt is being made to make those payments VICENZA — Under a beautiful blue sky, approximately 150 Vicenza Military with the December payroll. Clearing the Community members including Soldiers, civilians and their families kicked off the annual Turkey Trot 5K run/walk on the Caserma Ederle Track and backlog of family benefits is more time Field Nov. 18. After the run, top three in each category of Men, Women and consuming for the pay team because of Children received prizes, followed by a raffle with additional turkeys, ham the accounting involved. and gift certificates. (Photo by Laura Kreider, VMC Public Affairs Office) “The 266th Financial Management See PAY SYSTEM, page 3 Christmas in Verona 12 FMWR activities Happy Thanksgiving! Here are a few holiday statistics to think about: Total number of turkeys ASAP offers sober view consumed on Thanksgiving Day in the United States 51,650,000 of impaired driving Total U.S. spending on by llaria Dalla Riva Thanksgiving dinner food ASAP Volunteer $2,983,000,000 Average household spending VICENZA — The holiday season is at on Thanksgiving dinner the doorstep and, as we gather and cele- (2017 estimate) brate with families and friends, National $64.03 Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Pre- vention Month reminds us of the impor- International wings Number of families tance of celebrating safely. KOVIN, Serbia — Serbian Commander pins Serbian Parachutist wings on traveling on Thanksgiving Although the holidays are time for cel- Lt. Col. Jim D. Keirsey, commander, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 39,000,000 ebration, this time of year represents one 173rd Airborne Brigade, after an airborne jump Nov. 17 during Exercise of the most dangerous times on road- Double Eagle 17. Exercise Double Eagle is a multinational company-level Average cost ways because of an increase in impaired airborne insertion exercise intended to enhance the relationship between the per pound of turkey United States and Serbia, and strengthen regional security. driving. $1.20 (Photo by Sgt. David Vermilyea, 173rd Airborne Brigade Public Affairs Office) Since 1982, when President Ronald (from www.statisticbrain.com) See IMPAIRED, page 4 See related story, page 3 Community U.S. Army Europe Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges flocks U.S. Army Africa Commander Brig. Gen. to meet Eugene J. LeBoeuf USAG Italy Commander and Publisher mayors Col. Erik M. Berdy CASERMA EDERLE — This year, USAG Italy Public Affairs Supervisor approximately 60 towns have been James E. Brooks invited for the ninth annual Meet the Mayors event in the Golden Lion Outlook Editor conference center on Caserma Ederle Karin J. Martinez Nov. 8. Public Affairs Staff Representatives from about 50 towns Laura Kreider throughout the provinces of Vicenza Chiara Mattirolo and Padova were on hand to share Aaron P. Talley information in the way of history, culture, Anna Terracino events and local specialties. U.S. Mark Turney Army Garrison Italy Commander Col. The Outlook is an authorized publication Erik M. Berdy visited each table and supporting the USAG Italy command information program as provided by AR had his picture taken with all the town 360-1. All editorial content of the Outlook is representatives that included 19 mayors, prepared, edited and approved by the USAG 16 deputy mayors and many council Italy Public Affairs Office, Unit 31401, Box members. 10, APO, AE 09630, located in Bldg. 10 on Berdy said this event offers the Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. opportunity to Soldiers and their families to showcase what makes their Contents of the Outlook are not necessarily the official news of, or endorsed by, the U.S. community special. According to him, Government, the Department of Defense, it is also an opportunity to interact and Department of the Army, Installation thank them for the support they give to Management Command-Europe, U.S. the American Military community. Army Garrison Italy or U.S. Army Africa. Right: Lt. Col. Christopher Baker, 173rd Brigade Support Battalion commander, The Outlook accepts submissions. Call the editor with questions at DSN 637- smiles while watching his children, 8031, comm. 0444-61-8031, or submit 4-year-old Vivian and William, 9, tasting via email at [email protected]. A sopressa, a local delicacy offered by submission does not guarantee publication. Bressanvido Deputy Mayor Gabriella Submissions may be edited at the discretion Arditi at the town’s table. (Photos by Laura of the Public Affairs staff. Kreider, VMC Public Affairs Office) Courtesy photo in Table of Contents Speak Out By Laura Kreider, VMC Public Affairs Office What did you like about the Meet the Mayors event? Giovanni Battista Cunico, Bassano del Grappa councilman for Cultural Affairs, illustrates historical sites of his town and surroundings to some participants during the event. Below: Francesco Enrico Gonzo, Mayor of Isola Vicentina and Vicenza Mattia Berno Jeremy Cates Catherine D. Miller province councilman for Culture and Tourism, peruses a table alongside a younger Central Issue Facility Interagency Fleet Deputy Garrison Manager guest. For more photos of the event, see https://www.flickr.com/photos/usagvicenza/ “I really liked the Management System Camp Darby albums/72157690675630836. interaction between “I was able to talk to the “This was my first time different cultures and mayor of my town getting to meet the mayors. traditions, along with the about some ideas for I really enjoyed learning local food. improving about their communities Sometimes, even living the community, and all the wonderful food and events close by, we don’t know and the food was great, they have to offer our all the specialties too!” service members." we have.” Capt. Felix Bravo Emarey Williams George Hanby III U.S. Army Africa Family member Vicenza Middle School G-7 Training “It was great to see “Seeing all the variety of “It was a great opportunity what all the surrounding what the local villages have to get information cities have to offer to share. Especially our about the area and and to learn about village of Castegnero. We what it has to offer, upcoming events." saw some of our neighbors especially for newcomers.” and the best traditional cake from Mossano!” 2 Outlook November 24, 2017 Serbian-born Soldier returns to country as US citizen The school is one of the top Story and photo by Sgt. David Vermilyea 173rd Airborne Brigade Public Affairs Office 10 water polo programs in the nation. He coached for one year at USC, then left PANCEVO, Serbia – “One minute!” This is happen- to explore a more diverse ing. “30 seconds!” Orbs of chilled sweat start to form. field within water polo. “Stand by!” The heart stops. “Green light, go!” “I started my own water It wasn’t the first, the last and or only time Spc. Uros polo club in Huntington Dzelebdzic of Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Air- Beach, California,” said borne Brigade, participated in an airborne insertion ex- Dzelebdzic. By owning a ercise, but this occasion, Exercise Double Eagle 17, was club, he was able to take special. his knowledge of the sport Dzelebdzic was jumping into the scenic pastures of and not only coach, but Serbian countryside, merely an hour away from his also learn the business side hometown of Belgrade. To his front, flank and rear of the sport. During his stood brethren from his native country and his adopted time there, from the incep- country, all experiencing the adrenaline rush together. tion of his club to the day “I’m glad to be here, glad to be working with Serbia’s he left it, the team won the 63rd Paratroop Brigade,” said Dzelebdzic, whose life national championship ev- had seemed to come full circle. ery year. Thirteen years “We ended up Specialist Uros Dzelebdzic, a Serbian-American paratrooper of Brigade Support ago, the Soldier At 17, he packed his bags in search being five-time Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade earns his Serbian Parachutist wings during left Serbia to be- national cham- Exercise Double Eagle 17. come a foreign ex- of adventure and opportunity. No rela- pions,” said Dz- change student in tives, no friends, no previous acquain- elebdzic.